Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly sunnyNews
| 
Submit Comments
The Advertiser has been leading the local debate
advertisement
Academies in crisis
Carl Marsden17/10/2007
SERIOUS concerns have been raised after one of the organisations bidding to run an Academy school in Oldham withdrew at the 11th hour from a similar scheme in Bradford.
Edutrust pulled back from plans to provide financial backing for an Academy at Rhodesway School, Allerton.
The London-based charity is currently in talks with Oldham Council and the Church of England about giving financial backing to controversial plans to close five local secondaries – Breeze Hill, Counthill, Grange, Kaskenmoor and South Chadder-ton – and replace them with three privately-sponsored multi-faith academies.
Charities or businesses give up to £2m to an Academy in return for a say in how classrooms are run, and Edutrust’s U-turn in Bradford has prompted questions about its involvement in Oldham.
A statement from Bradford said: “After hearing the views of students, the local community, teaching professionals, elected representatives and a range of other stakeholders, and following a strategic review of Edutrust by its newly-appointed chief executive, Fred Groom, the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), Bradford Council and Edutrust have reached the conclusion not to proceed with the Academy proposal.”
Bryan Beckingham, Oldham branch secretary of the NUT, claims Bradford Council had “serious reservations about an organisation that was not equipped or prepared to answer even basic questions put by parents, students and staff at consultation meetings”.
Bradford councillor David Ward, the opposition Lib Dem education spokesman, told the Advertiser he was “unimpressed” by Edutrust’s presentations.
“They talked about giving pupils an enhanced learning experience,” he said. “I asked what they would introduce or do that was different and they could not answer. I asked where they had raised standards and brought in innovative new teaching methods and they had nothing to offer other than ‘they are committed to doing it’.
“The expression ‘very long bargepole’ comes to mind. Be very careful and scrutinise any sponsor to see what their capacity to deliver what they promise actually is.”
Edutrust says its withdrawal from Bradford was based on the recommendation of its new chief executive, Mr Groom.
He told Edutrust trustees that the expensive 18-month-long involvement of the charity in Bradford was unlikely to deliver the desired Academy within acceptable timescales.
He added: “The trustees concurred and agreed to re-allocate Edutrust’s charitable resources to other projects, including the proposed academy in Oldham.”
Mr Groom told the Advertiser that Cllr Ward’s remarks are the “opinion of one individual” and claims that many other Bradford councillors were “strongly supportive” of Edutrust.
He said: “It is important to stress that Edutrust is approved as a multiple-Academy sponsor by the DCSF who have scrutinised all our credentials,” he said. “Edutrust is authorised to set up academies and has full government support in this.”
A spokesman for Oldham Council said it would be inappropriate to comment on Bradford, but that their experience of Edutrust is “extremely positive”.
It was stated: “We are confident that all our potential sponsors have the right qualities and experience to ensure that our youngsters will benefit from new facilities in state-of-the-art schools and receive the top class education they deserve.
“Any academies would be required to admit pupils from all faiths and backgrounds and our existing Church of England and Catholic schools would also be expanded with more places for children from other faiths.
“Academies would teach the national curriculum and be required to teach an understanding of all religious faiths and not to promote one particular faith.”
Edutrust’s board includes several prominent Muslims, including businessman Lord Amir Bhatia as chairman, but trustees also include the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey. The group is currently in talks about becoming sponsor of 11 UK academies.
Phil Woolas MP, Oldham East and Saddleworth said: “While I support academies in principle that is dependent on the credibility of any potential sponsor.
“Any sponsor would have to satisfy both the educational and financial criteria. Nothing is more important than our children’s education.”
Click on the video window for Channel M's report on Academies ...
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
6/12/2007 at 22:21
Got an opinion you want to share?Do you support council workers who have gone on strike over a below-inflation pay offer?
| Card | BT Fee |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Platinum | 3.0% |
| Barclaycard Platinum 'As on TV' | 2.9% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse For London | 2.9% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| FirstPlus Exclusive Rate | 6.6% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 7.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Barclaycard Personal Loan | 7.8% |
| Barclays | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICESAVE Easy Access Account |
6.30% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
6.16% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE internet saver |
5.50% |
6/12/2007 at 22:40